Clinton Publisher Seeks Recall of Chinese Edition

9/24/03 | Mark Egan

[ctlpdad]

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Sen. Hillary Clinton (news - web sites)'s publisher on Wednesday demanded the recall of the Chinese language printing of the senator's autobiography, calling it an inaccurate version which omits several passages critical of the country's human rights record.

AP Photo Slideshow: Hillary Clinton

In a tersely worded statement, Simon & Schuster said the Chinese edition of "Living History" including unauthorized changes and demanded government-owned publisher Yilin Press remedy the issue by publishing an unaltered version.

Yilin has yet to reply to the request.

At issue are 10 pages in the book, where the Chinese publisher deleted passages detailing Clinton's views on China and her travels there. Simon & Schuster called the omissions a breach of contract and made the offending passages available on its web site in both English and Mandarin.

"We were shocked to learn of this problem and wanted to provide a quick and accurate way for Chinese readers to read the missing passages while we sort out the legal issues with Yilin," said Carolyn Reidy, president of Simon & Schuster.

The book has sold 200,000 copies in China in its first month of release there, making it the best selling foreign political memoir in Chinese history.

Many of the passages deleted in the Chinese text are critical of China's human rights record.

"I would criticize Chinese government abuses, including coerced abortions and the routine squelching of free speech and free assembly," Clinton wrote in one of the deleted parts.

Another portion finds her lamenting China's "dismal record on human rights and its barbaric policy of condoning forced abortions as a means of imposing its 'one child policy.'"

Clinton also recalls her state visit to China with her husband President Bill Clinton (news - web sites), when the pair, "debated whether we should attend a ceremony in Tiananmen Square, where Chinese authorities had used tanks to forcibly suppress pro-democracy demonstrations in June of 1989."

Several deleted passages concern dissident Harry Wu, who spent 19 years as a political prisoner in Chinese labor camps before being arrested in 1995 entering China from Kazakhstan.

Some of the nixed portions are more light hearted, among them a passage on the Chinese government trying to control what visiting dignitaries see.

"A few hours earlier (before the Clintons arrived at a Shanghai restaurant for an informal lunch) the police had showed up and told everyone working in the nearby stores to leave. They were replaced by attractive young people wearing Western clothes," Clinton wrote.

[hapy]

another funny post

God do hope she runs for pres. cause we will have lots of laughing moments

[dirtboy]

Clinton Publisher Seeks Recall of Chinese Edition

Ah, c'mon, Hillary, the PRC paid good money for your and Bill's services, they should be able to make a few edits to your book if they see fit.

[austingirl]

The ironic thing is that Hitlery would institute fascist policies here if the she-devil ever wins the Presidency. She is a true believer in the communist method- as long as she is in charge.

[aristeides]

The book has sold 200,000 copies in China in its first month of release there, making it the best selling foreign political memoir in Chinese history.

Red China joining Viacom in the disguised bribe business?

[Pan_Yans Wife]

I'm sure the Chinese are shaking in their boots! THEY CAN'T BE STOPPED!

[Quilla]

Recall it, shoot, they should impeach it.

[autoresponder]

(dim-NY) Mayor David Dinkins ordered the homeless chased out by NYPD during the dNC years back.

What is Hillary griping about?

Red China is folowing the klintoon templates.

[UCANSEE2]

Better yet, they should recall all issues sold in the US as well as China.

Due to omissions/errors/bold-faced lies contained therein.

[JohnnyZ]

Actually, the Chinese version is the original. They added the criticisms to appeal to the American audience.

[mtbopfuyn]

In other news - the Chinese are in a quandry about the shortage of tp.

[RonHolzwarth]

"Freedom of the press" applies to everything.

Even "Lying History"!!!

Hell, she didn't even write the book herself, I have been led to believe.

BUT I admit, I don't even know enough about the woman to make an informed decision one way or another, anyway.

So, nevermind!

[jimbo123]

Remember when Hitlery visited the children's hospital in NYC for a photo op and ordered her staff to keep the child cancer patients away from her because she didn't want sickly looking kids in her photo?

[malia]

Hey, that reminded me of Seattle. Our city did the same thing. Then they haul them back in truckloads to vote!!!

[weegee]

I thought that when she was under oath, she couldn't recall.

[weegee]

When does the Hillary Book Tour go to communist China?

Will that same guy be at the front of the line giving quotes to the press?

[Sacajaweau]

This is news for one reason...to tell us how many books she sold and the SHE therefore appeals to the world!! I'm sure we'll be getting other GOOD stats every couple of weeks.

[Sacajaweau]

Yea, Planned Parenthood doesn't coerce you but they don't tell your parents either leaving you with a big decision based on "exploiting" your ignorance.

[Levante]

I would buy a couple of copies of Hitery's book but Charmin, Northern, and other purpose-milled toilet paper is cheaper and of a higher quality.

[aristeides]

Those millions of copies are going to be remaindered for a song one of these days.